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Repeal Louisiana's creationist law

Louisiana's HB 26 would repeal the infamous "Louisiana Science Education Act." That law, passed in 2008 and signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal, allows teachers in the Pelican State to use classroom supplements, and claims that evolution and climate change create "controversy." This combination invites lessons in creationism and climate change denial.

The repeal bill will be heard in committee on Wednesday, May 1. The Senate Education committee must hear from you now.

Earlier this year, Governor Jindal acknowledged that the LSEA opens the door to creationism. NBC News asked "you don't think that creationism should be taught in public schools?" Jindal replied, "We have what's called the Science Education Act that says that if a teacher wants to supplement those materials, if the school board is okay with that, if the state school board is okay with that, they can supplement those materials. … Let's teach them — I've got no problem if a school board, a local school board, says we want to teach our kids about creationism, that people, some people, have these beliefs as well, let's teach them about 'intelligent design'."

The bill's creationist origins are hardly a secret. In 2008, the bill's sponsor declared that the bill was intented to allow classroom discussion of "scientific data related to creationism." School boards in Livingston Parish and Tangipahoa have cited the law's provisions as support for efforts to attack evolution education, and legislators in other states have pointed to the Louisiana law to justify their own attacks on evolution and climate change education.

The bill's repeal has been supported by a host of scientific and educational societies, not to mention the Orleans Parish school board and New Orleans city council. Zack Kopplin, a Louisiana student now studying at Rice University, has gathered statements in support of repeal from more than 75 Nobel laureates (nearly half the living science Nobelists). Endorsing the repeal effort, the Baton Rouge Advocate observed, "Ostensibly, the law is to allow divergent opinions to be taught in public school classrooms about evolution and global warming, among other topics. But in reality, it is cover for introducing religious views into science classrooms." Citing Kopplin's hard work and his belief that "we can muster the votes we need" for repeal, the Advocate added "We hope so and commend the efforts to repeal this creationist stalking horse."

Will you join the effort to repeal the LSEA? Concerned Louisianans must make their voices heard to restore the integrity of science education.

Sign up below to register your opposition to the LSEA, and your support for SB 26, to receive more information about how to reach out to your legislators, and to receive further action alerts.